Anyone who’s worked in the world of DG shipping regulations for more than 15 minutes knows there’s only one constant—change. 2015 was no exception. While lithium

batteries were far and away the most talked-about topic, GHS alignment and crude oil shipments were also in the news.

2015 Regulationsin Review

FEBRUARY 20Lithium Battery ExtensionPHMSA extends the compliance date for HM-224F (for modes other than air) toAugust 7, 2015.

FEBRUARY 6Big Changes forLithium BatteriesMandatory compliance for PHMSA’sHM-224F begins, significantly changingthe regulations for shipping lithium batteries across all modes of transportation.

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FEB2015

JANUARY 1Lithium MetalBatteries as CargoThe International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) prohibits the carrying of lithium metal batteriesas cargo in passenger airplanes.

APRIL 27FRA Speed limitThe USDOT Federal RailroadAdministration (FRA) issues Emergency Order Number 30, Notice 1, limiting the speed of trains carrying large amountsof highly flammable liquids to 40 miles per hour in high-threat urban areas.

MARCH 2 USPS Pub 52 UpdateThe USPS revises Publication 52 to reflect recent changes in US 49 CFR governing the shipment of lithium batteries.

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APR2015

JUNE 9FRA AdvisoryIn response to recent fatal passenger trainincidents, the USDOT FRA issues a formalSafety Advisory (SA: 2015-03) directingrailroads to take further steps toreduce the risk of accidents.

JUNE 1GHS MANUFACTURERS’DEADLINE Chemical manufacturers and importers must comply with all modified provisions of OSHA HCS 2012, which helps align U.S. workplace hazard communications with the Globally Harmonized System (GHS).

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What’s in storefor 2016?

Well, there’s the June 1 GHS deadline,when compliance becomes mandatoryfor all U.S. workplaces. And there are

sure to be many more surprisesthroughout the year.

Don’t be caught unprepared!Get the latest updates at

blog.labelmaster.com.

JUL2015

JULY 27Airline Bans LithiumMetal ShipmentsMalaysia Airlines suspends thetransport of lithium metal batteries,including when contained or packedwith equipment, on passengerand cargo aircraft.

JULY 17AirplaneManufacturerIssues GuidanceBoeing releases new guidance on the bulk carriage of lithium ion batteries on its passenger aircraft.

AUGUST 17Confidentiality RulingThe Baltimore Circuit Court rules againstCSX Transportation and NorfolkSouthern Railway, saying routesand cargo descriptions for trainscarrying flammable liquidsare not confidential.

AUGUST 7Lithium BatteryCompliance DateMandatory compliance for HM-224Fnow applies to all shipping modes.

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SEPTEMBER 4fra grantsThe USDOT announces $10 millionin federal safety grants to help federaland state governments address safetyissues surrounding crude oilshipments on local rail lines.

AUGUST 31Another Airline RestrictsLithium BatteriesLufthansa bans all excepted standaloneshipments of lithium batteries (lithiummetal and lithium ion) on passengeror cargo aircraft, and all fully regulatedlithium battery shipments onpassenger aircraft.

DECEMBER 1GHS Distributors’DeadlineDistributors may only ship containerslabeled by chemical manufacturers orimporters with HCS-compliant labels.

DEC2015

DECEMBER 31 FRA PTC DeadlineAs of this publication, December 31 is the deadline for America’s railroads to comply with the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008, which mandates Positive Train Control (PTC) on all lines carrying passengers and any toxic by inhalation (TIH) chemicals. Unless an extension is granted, this could have major implications for the entire country.

LITHIUM METAL BATTERIES -

FORBIDDEN FOR TRANSPORT

ABOARD PASSENGER AIRCRAFT

L395(800) 621-5808 www.labelmaster.com

®

LITHIUM METAL BATTERIES -

FORBIDDEN FOR TRANSPORT

ABOARD PASSENGER AIRCRAFT

L395

(800) 621-5808 www.labelmaster.com

®

SEPTEMBER 9dgs XLabelmaster hosts the 10th Dangerous Goods Symposium in St. Louis, Missouri, bringing together DG professionals and regulators for three days of discussion and collaboration on the latest regulatory changes.

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